Daisychain are a femme-fronted indie psych/blues rock trio from Chicago, formed in 2017 and helmed by Nickole Regala (bass, vocals), Frankie Sripada (lead guitar) and Sophia Williams (rhythm guitar, vocals). The trio has already toured the US and Europe on the heels of their debut album All In a Name, and have lambasted steadily growing live audiences with their powerful, genre-defying sound.
Their new single, "Tar," explores the dark thickness of grief, with brooding distorted guitars and vocal harmonies. It's inspired by 90s grunge-rock-that moves the way tar might–slow, sticky and heavy. I wanted to ask the band about their intense touring schedule and how "Tar" came to be.
Here's our conversation. Enjoy!
Hypebot: Hey Daisychain, thanks for taking the time. Congrats on “Tar” - it’s a track that moves slowly because grief moves slowly. When you began writing it, did the emotion dictate the sound, or did that heavy sound unlock what the song was actually about?
Nickole Regala: "Thank you! I think initially it felt like the emotion was dictating the sound, but as the recording process began, it shifted and the heaviness and layering of the guitars really nailed the heavy expression we were going for."
H: The song never really gives the listener a huge cathartic release. Was it important not to pretend grief always resolves neatly?
NR: "Very much so! There is unfortunately not much catharsis or resolve in some grief, and I think the structure of 'Tar' really paints that. This song feels more like a vibey B-side than a typical rock tune, and that seemed to fit the vision we had in mind."
H: You describe the sound of “Tar” almost physically — sticky, heavy, coagulating. Do you often think about music in textures rather than genres?
NR: "For this specific track, yes. Texture was the driving component whereas some of our pieces are formed in a more genre-focused approach."
"In my opinion, good rock n roll should easily translate into a live setting."
H: Your debut pulled in pump organs, woodwinds, chimes, synths and all kinds of unexpected sounds. Is there ever a consideration during the recording process of what we can and can’t do on the live stage?
NR: "Not really. For me, those are two separate areas. The live performance is more about the expression and less about the bells and whistles."
Frankie Sripada: "In general, we write with the intention of playing songs live so any additional instrumentation is there mostly to accentuate / embellish parts that are already there. If you took away the additional instruments, it wouldn't drastically change the nature of our recordings. In my opinion, good rock n roll should easily translate into a live setting."
H: On that note, your live show has a reputation for being much more explosive than some of the recordings initially suggest. Is there a part of Daisychain that can only really exist in a room with an audience?
NR: "Absolutely! I think our live performances are a completely different experience than the recordings, but I still find a cohesion between the two."
The energy from the room during a live performance definitely does something to me. The recording studio can sometimes feel like performing under a microscope."
H: How do you keep healthy on the road?
NR: "We are gym rats! We make the gym a part of our morning routines before heading to the next city. Loading gear and performing every night kind of requires you to be active."
We also like to pack healthy non-perishable foods and stop at grocery stores whenever we can for fresh foods. Also apple cider vinegar daily does wonders!"
H: What’s something you’ve learned by spending time on the road? About music, life, yourselves?
NR: "I've learned how to conserve my own energy from being on the road a lot. You're constantly socializing with the audience and also your own crew so it has taught me how to care for myself so I don't spread myself too thin."
As for music, I've discovered so much music whether from whoever is DJing in the van during long drives or whatever house music the sound engineer is playing during changeovers. I've also discovered so many sick bass rigs! It's awesome. I've also learned how powerful music is. It's collaborative; it brings people together. It moves people."
Sylvia Massy said, 'Music is emotion,' and I've learned most people are trying to feel something when they come to a show whether they know it or not. It's a strong reminder to me to be open to being moved by something bigger than myself. I've also learned that adapting and rolling with the punches on tour will teach you to do the same in your own personal life. Don't fight the changes! It usually makes things worse."
"We were tossing ideas back and forth, and when she suggested Daisychain, I thought, 'That definitely sounds like a blues rock band fronted by badass women,' and I stand by that. :)"
H: You started out rehearsing in the basement of a neighborhood coffee shop and have now played places like Metro and toured internationally. What part of that basement version of Daisychain are you trying hardest to protect?
NR: "The part that's younger and not jaded yet, ha! Luckily, the Daisychain that was rehearsing in a coffeehouse basement isn't much different at all than the one playing Metro. We've all done a great job of protecting that Daisychain, specifically the humility of that Daisychain."
FS: "Being real, staying honest and true to ourselves. There's omnipresent pressure from soo many directions on what to do and how to do things in the music world. Keeping focused on what's important to us is an accomplishment in itself."
H: What’s the strangest place you’ve ever had a genuinely great show?
NR: "In a semi-truck garage in Switzerland! Strangely, the more unusual the place, the more I seem to play my heart out, ha! Big well known stages can be intimidating for me."
FS: "Probably a medieval Tower in Weimar, Germany. They put a venue in it and we played on Halloween."
H: Where does the band name come from?
NR: "Sophie came up with the name, Daisychain. We were tossing ideas back and forth, and when she suggested Daisychain, I thought, 'That definitely sounds like a blues rock band fronted by badass women,' and I stand by that. :)"
FS: "Funny enough, there was an early 90s Daisychain in Chicago in the industrial scene. We still get people messaging us about it years later, even though we hit up one of the members to check on any TM issues at the band's inception."
H: What’s your favorite post-concert food to eat?
NR: "This is going to sound weird but garlic cloves in a sipping bone broth and sardines on toast!"
